Hilton Niseko Village HotelThis hotel has a very unique floor plan. At our level, it is a shape of "6". And our room is all the way to the 3rd last room. VERY FAR!

6 shape hotel

There is a Ski Centre just outside the hotel. Indeed, it is a luxury hotel and very few hotels in this area.

These are what we are having for breakfast.

My breakfast

His Breakfast

Seasoned Raw Octopus. And it is not nice!

We have to leave after having our breakfast that was scheduled at 7.30am. Everyone must be ready before 8.30am to departure to our next activity, which is scheduled at 9.30am. It will take about 45 minutes to reach the next activity station.

White isle NISEKO (ホワイトアイルNISEKO)

"White isle NISEKO (ホワイトアイルNISEKO)"

Finally we reached this snowmobile area! This will be the place where we will be driving the snowmobile and drive across the mountain. It cost 10000 Yen for a single car and 15000 Yen for double seat car, although the car looked about the same, with a support bar at the back seat for double seat car.

Rules for driving:1) Only 16 and above can drive the car. 2) If 2 persons in a car, only MALE is allowed to be the driver. Female must sit at the back. Both female will not be allowed.

This expense is not included in the package tour, so we have to pay the rental fee ourselves. I choose double seat, since it is not only cheaper, and I would like to take photograph along the driving track as he drives. 一举两得！It is recommended to change to their suits, if any part of our wear is not suitable for driving. Nevertheless, we changed to their wears so that our clothes will not be dirtied nor wet.

People gathering around the mobile

Dear cool shot

Zoom Zoom

After a short drive along the mountain, finally we have reached a resting place for us to take photograph. Today is a fine weather, where the temperature is not cold, and vision is clear. We have been served a cup of chocolate, to ensure we keep our body warm.

There is a family of 5 who did not go for the snowmobile, since their children are all under 16. However, they are having fun too! They have made 2 snow men while waiting for our return. Big project!!

Snow Men Project

For more information, check out their website. http://www.niseko-weiss.co.jp/isle/islephoto-e.html

Lake Toya (洞爺湖)Our next stop after the snowmobile will be their famous Lake Toya. Lake Tōya (洞爺湖) is a volcanic caldera lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Abuta District, Hokkaidō, Japan. There is a park beside the lake (note: we are only at a part of the lake) where features a few status.

Look! I am sitting on a tiger!

Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Shoots on Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Shoots on Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Shoots on Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Shoots on Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Map

What a huge mask!

Shoots on Lake Toya (洞爺湖)

Lunch at a BIG CRAB signboard place

After the Lake Toya, we set off for our lunch at this very big CRAB signboard outside the building. So big that we decided to take a photo of it. I have forgotten the name, and I can't understand the signboard wording. At the entrance, there is a bear status.

BEAR ON THE LOOSE

This is a very popular seafood steamboat in Hokkaido. Most of the group will go there for fresh seafood. Really fresh! You are to pick your crab, scallop, so whatever they have there, when they are alive. When they serve you, it is supposed to eat it RAW! Imagine how fresh the seafood will be!

Look at the crab that will be our lunch today. Dear do not eat raw food, so I will be sharing with another group mate, Theresa. The scallop is also very huge! When we are arranged to be seated in a table, there is a BIG bowl of vegetable, raw salmon, scallop, mushroom, etc on the table. These are for the steamboat. This is so much, that we cannot finish half the pot of steamboat. And yes, when you pour everything into the pot, it is filled to the brim.

Steamboat Feast

Pretty soon, our Sashimi is served! The scallop meat is very sweet, and chewy (i cannot find a word to describe the texture). Recommended! The crab is very fresh. It is a bit gluey effect, so not everyone might be able to appreciate the taste. Kind of weird for me in the first place, but the meat is really fresh.

Crab!

Crab Body- for cooking, cannot eat raw

Yummy Scallop!

After our lunch about 2.30pm, we went outside to take a photo, with the Pacific Ocean behind us. Nice right?

Ocean!!!

Ainu Museum (アイヌ民族博物館)

Ainu Museum Founder Statue

Map around the museum

Since we are in Hokkaido, so we should also know their history and their culture. We set off to Ainu Museum where they have musical and dance performance of the ancestor's. There is this One-String Instrument where they will sprung the string and make different key, and in return: music. They have an instrument that is similar to Yang Qing!

One-String Instrument

Yang Qing?

They also show us the lullaby where they sing to coax the baby to sleep.

The final one would be the tribal dance, where they sing and dance when they caught a bear/ something along this line. Only one male will hold the knife, and the female will form a circle (including the male) and dance around the fire pit.